FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2024 Kicks Off With A Landmark Opening Ceremony In Toronto

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Toronto, Apr 4: The much-anticipated FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 commenced on Wednesday (April 3) in Toronto with a press conference and an enchanting Opening Ceremony held at the prestigious 1 Hotel Toronto.

George Sovatzis, Director of Sales and Marketing, set the stage with a gracious welcome speech, expressing immense pride in being part of the event's North American debut. "We take immense pride in being part of this competition as it makes its North American debut," he said.

Moderated by Anna Burtasova, the event's Press Officer, the press conference featured distinguished speakers including Emil Sutovsky, CEO of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Vladimir Drkulec, President of the Chess Federation of Canada, Fabiano Caruana (USA), the top-rated contender in the FIDE Candidates Tournament, and Vaishali R (India), one of the youngest participants in the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament.

Sutovsky shed light on the decision to host the tournament in Toronto, citing the burgeoning chess community in Canada and the enthusiastic support from various stakeholders. Drkulec addressed the recent visa issues faced by participants, highlighting the remarkable collective effort that resolved the situation.

Caruana, unfazed by the pressure of being the favourite, emphasised the competitive nature of the tournament and the capability of every player to clinch victory. "We know that every player here can potentially win the tournament if they bring their best game. The numbers say something about the past performances, but I think it will be a mistake to take any of the players lightly," said the USA GM.

The tournament marks several milestones, including its debut in North America and the concurrent hosting of the FIDE Candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament. Notably, it witnesses siblings Vaishali R and Praggnanandhaa R competing side by side, a first in the event's history.

"We discuss our games all the time and help each other throughout various events," confirmed Vaishali. "We also have our mother here with us; this family support is very important to us," Vaishali said.

The Opening Ceremony, hosted by Aris Marghetis and Charlize Van Zyl, featured expressions of gratitude to sponsors and memorable anecdotes from esteemed guests. Each player received a welcome bag and answered a quirky question, adding a personal touch to the proceedings.

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the FIDE Medal of Merit to Isai Scheinberg, marking a significant moment in the tournament's history.

The tournament kicks off on April 4, promising thrilling matches and intense competition. Fans can catch the action live on FIDE YouTube with expert commentary from GM Viswanathan Anand and GM Irina Krush.